Ulster Weavers invest £6.2m in innovation

A £6.2 million investment by Ulster Weavers Apparel in the further development of its linen and other fabric brands through innovation, increased exports and efficiency improvements will benefit the company’s operations throughout Northern Ireland.

Commenting on the investment, Declan Gormley, Ulster Weavers Apparel Managing Director, said the commitment represented a significant investment in knowledge-led aspects of the business such as new product design and development, innovative finishing, improvement techniques and export marketing.

He added: “We have been working with Kurt Salmon Associates on a strategic investment that will keep us at the leading-edge of textiles manufacturing.

“This has involved substantial investment in management and financial control expertise, quality systems, production, weaving flexibility, innovative product development in finishing and dyeing and marketing to add significant value to our fabric portfolio and boost sales to strategic partners and other customers.

Mr Gormley said the company would be aiming to maximise market opportunities for Irish Linen through the development of its existing products, the continued development of their new brand, Linen Essentials, and their strategic partnership with DuPont on the highly innovative Irish Linen plus Lycra fabric brand.

"This will enable us to offer customers a broader range of higher value and technically advanced fabrics,” he concluded.

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